The Abu Sayyaf Group claimed it can get war material from the U.S. now that the Philippine government has allowed the U.S. to come in and start an anti-terrorism campaign in southern Philippines.
Abu Sayyaf spokesman, Abu Sabaya, said in a radio interview: "It is advantageous for us if the U.S. gives high-tech support to the Philippine military, because we also get the same support."
"Why, we get their night vision, we get everything that they give to the Philippines Armed Forces. Whatever the latter gets, we also get in the same number," stated Sabaya, but did not spell out how his group, dubbed as terrorist, could get high-technology war material from the United States.
It is commonly believed that the Abu Sayyaf buys its arms from the army, but this has never been proven.
"The U.S. should give a bigger supply to the Philippines so that that we can increase our arsenal," Sabaya boasted.
"We want to fight with the U.S. The problem in the Philippines is getting worse. The Philippine government wants the U.S. to come here. We are not afraid of the Americans," claimed Sabaya as he taunted the Philippine government and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's support for the U.S.-led coalition against international terrorism.
Philippine authorities believe that Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden has supported the Abu Sayyaf since it was established in the late 1980s.
"The Abu Sayyaf Group is severely threatened, that is why they are resorting to diversionary attacks. This (boasting) is more of a psychological thing," noted National Security Council head, Roilo Golez.
U.S. supplies 'will help Abu Sayyaf'
The Abu Sayyaf Group claimed it can get war material from the U.S. now that the Philippine government has allowed the U.S. to come in and start an anti-terrorism campaign in southern Philippines.